Andrew's Mangrove/Macro/Softy Pico

[PizzaOven]

The goal for this tank is to create a more "natural" reef tank, something closer to what you'd see in nature. Below is an example of what I want to recreate (taken from my BVI trip last year). Pastel color pallete and tons of biodiversity:

Tank Started October 2025:
My initial attempt! UNS 5N filled with water, rock, sand, and a few species of Macroalgae. I'm using a Twinstar B (meant for FW planted tanks) to achieve the whiter look. Only filtration here is a UNS surface skimmer. I had a minor diatom outbreak early on but no uglies after that.

Fast forward to now (March 2026):
I ditched the initial filtration in favor of a DIY tote. These are really easy to make, and you can customize them however you want. I put the Mangrove I got from @MichaelB in here.

The mangrove has its own lighting (a 20W led grow lamp I found on Amazon):

Starting to look more "natural" or at least closer my initial vision:

The deresa clam I picked up from Neptune last week. Hopefully weekly 50% water changes can keep up with the Ca demand. If not, I'll add a doser or move it to another tank.

I dose Neo-Nitro, Neo-Phos and ChaetoGro since I don't have any fish.

Don't get me wrong. I love the fluorescent pop you get from submerging corals in Windex, but this hits different.

 

[tribbitt]

Fantastic! Love the filter.

 

[PjFish]

Always liked the sump over DT look! What size pump are you using for the return?

 

[PizzaOven]

Always liked the sump over DT look! What size pump are you using for the return?

A sicce syncra nano (110 gph)

 

[PizzaOven]

The baby deresa clam was crashing my alk! These things suck up Alk/Ca really fast, not great for a pico with 5g of water. I don't want a doser on this tank, so I moved it to my reefer 250.

I recently switched lighting from the Twinstar to Chihiros Magnetic 2. Amazing value for the money (~$65).

I also added "Ruby Red" pulsing xenia. Love the color:

FTS:

 

[Turkeysammich]

The baby deresa clam was crashing my alk! These things suck up Alk/Ca really fast, not great for a pico with 5g of water. I don't want a doser on this tank, so I moved it to my reefer 250.

I recently switched lighting from the Twinstar to Chihiros Magnetic 2. Amazing value for the money (~$65).
View attachment 78365

I also added "Ruby Red" pulsing xenia. Love the color:
View attachment 78366
FTS:
View attachment 78367

I’m a little jelly. Ruby red Xenia is kinda a rare find. Congrats

 

[PizzaOven]

I’m a little jelly. Ruby red Xenia is kinda a rare find. Congrats

I'll share some once it grows. If it grows like the other Xenia... there will be plenty.

 

[psidriven]

dm me if you want some ochodotes/hypnea to add to your macro collection.